Disclaimer: All familiar characters belong to J.K. Rowling

Chapter Fourteen: The Duel

After a productive lunch of strategizing Rosaline and Hermione made their way to Dumbledore's office. Hermione's head buzzed with spells and battle formations. She'd been impressed at the scale of the ambush and though she sulked that she had not been midst the planning, she was impressed at the measures the Order had gone to.

"Hermione!" called a breathless voice. She turned to find Malfoy sprinting towards her. She gestured Rosaline to go on, rolling her eyes at Rosaline's raised eyebrow.

"I'm a little busy right now Abraxas." Hermione spoke quickly not wanting to miss another moment of critical preparation.

"Then explain." Abraxas folded his arms.

"Excuse me?" Hermione was lost.

"I left you at the Hospital Wing! Yet when I go to make sure you're ok Madame Pomfrey tells me she hadn't seen you all day."

Ah, that.

"I don't have time right now Abraxas, I promise I'll tell you later." Hermione pleaded him.

Abraxas looked at her suspiciously.

"Where are you going with Professor Blaise?"

"Nowhere." Hermione replied too quickly.

"Why are you dressed like that?"

Hermione was wearing a vest, tight fitting trousers and combat boots. Her hair was plaited back and her cloak was lined with fur.

"A little outing." She coughed nervously.

Malfoy's eyes narrowed as she debated her options. She could stun him or disillusion herself and run for it. Fight or flight.

"Hermione cut the bullshit." Malfoy warned her as she silently transfigured the knight behind him into life. Malfoy, as expected, turned to find the source of the clanking metal. Hermione was just about to disillusion herself when Malfoy forced the wand out of her hand and pinned her against the wall.

"Abraxas if you want your father back.." Hermione stopped speaking knowing this was exactly what not to say.

"What do you know about my father?" He pressed her harder against the wall ignoring her groans of pain.

"We're going to rescue him but I won't get anywhere with you keeping me here!" She yelled at him.

"Abraxas?"

The both of them turned and groaned when they saw Black standing with his wand out unsuredly.

"Well done Malfoy, fucking well done. Exactly what I needed."

Malfoy released her and stood awkwardly before a scowling Black.

"You said you didn't like her like that." Black spoke quietly.

"Mate I don't, it's not what it looks like-" Malfoy looked flushed and Hermione looked at him wearily before approaching Black.

"Hermione why are you dressed like you're going to battle?" Black asked her quizzically.

"I- I.." Hermione stuttured.

"She's going to rescue my father and I'm going with her." Malfoy said resolutely.

"No you are not!" shouted Hermione.

"If you're going I'm coming with you" said Black darkly. "Especially if he's going with you."

Malfoy fiddled with his wand.

"You'll only be in the way! You're already delaying me!" Hermione looked at her watch and groaned. "Fine. But you have to convince Dumbledore."

Hermione ran to the deputy headmasters office the two boys following her, one glaring at the other. As she entered the office she saw only Rosaline whose eyebrows shot into her hairline as she saw the two boys that followed. Hermione shrugged apologetically.

"Malfoy knows we're rescuing his father and Black wants to protect my virtue." Hermione scoffed at Black's embaressment.

"We don't have time for this Hermione." Rosaline reprieved.

"You don't have to tell me. I debated stunning them or casting a memory charm."

Both Malfoy and Black shouted in opposition of either action.

"Fine but they'll stay out of the front line. We could use them as runners for the healers." Rosaline sighed.

One by one they took the floo to Hog's Head. Hermione emerged first from the fireplace, waved hello at Aberforth before marching out of the pub, holding both boys hands and dissapperating them away from Scotland.

The air was cooler in the little cave where they had apparated into. Hermione walked out of the closed space and stepped out onto a ledge on a snow covered mountain. The climate explained Hermione's fur cloak. She began climbing down a steep path and the boys followed her tentatively looking around them in awe. They were on the edge of vast woodland area. Mountains lined one end of the forest, the altitude explaining the cold. They were extremely high up but Hermione looked nonplussed as she skipped down the icy path. Hermione looked back now and then and was satisfied seeing the look of fear in both their faces. Served them right for being so stubborn. Eventually they were led to a clearing halfway down the mountain. Tents were erected as far as she could see. Aurors dressed in combat uniform, robes emblazoned with the British Ministry coat of arms. They stood around maps or duelled in practice. Healers wore white, distributing shield cloaks. Hermione waited for Rosaline to join them as she conversed with Oliver Hornby about his duties for the night.

"Right the Order meeting begins in 5 minutes. Your two, this is Healer Roberts. You'll be under his charge tonight. Hermione lets go." Rosaline marched off to the largest tent in the centre as Hermione lingered behind shortly.

"Please behave yourselves, don't get in the way and don't go looking for danger." Hermione hugged the two of the grim faced boys quickly and made her way to the tent. Before she entered Black called after her. Hermione turned and was met with a fierce embrace. He kissed her furiously almost lifting her off the ground.

"Be safe." He breathed heavily, kissed her on her forehead and pushed her into the entrance. A little light headed she searched for Rosaline in the small crowd that sat around a round oak table. Taking a seat near a smiling Rosaline Dumbledore entered looking impressive in white robes and a scarlett cloak.

"Good evening. Welcome to the first meeting of the Order of the Phoenix." The members looked at eachother shortly, noting any familiar faces. Hermione smiled at Professor Prince. "We begin this society with a battle and soon let us hope we can call it a victory. You have all seen the plans but now I pass you to the commander of the operation to provide you with an overview."

The order politely applauded as Dumbledore took a seat as Athena Moody stood to speak. Hermione could see the resemblence between Xander and her mother. The same sparkling blue eyes and straight black hair. There was something oriental looking about her, her hair brushed into a high ponytail. She wore a grey military uniform complete with epulets. Athena spoke with pride and passion. She explained the battlements in great detail and provided contingency plans for most scenarios. Hermione was pleased to note she would be on the secondary mission to the secrethouse with Rosaline. There was a possibility she'd be needed in the frontlines. The meeting was dismissed in twenty minutes at seven PM exactly. The secondary mission was to assemble immediately as the location was a good twenty miles from the base. They'd have to make their way on broom due to wards placed around the prison. Hermione and Rosaline were flying by hippogriffs due to their increased speed.

The beautiful scaly creatures scaled the skies with grace, their wings cutting through the icy air. Hermione clinged onto the neck of her hippogriff, called Atlas, with her life though she did appreciate the view of the white mountains and the neverending woods growing sinister in the approaching darkness. Not even a moon in the clear sky. The stars shone dimly in the distance, barely visible in the suffocating blackness. Eventually they reached a lake, parting the forest. At the centre was a small island and on the island stood a gothic fortress. Rosaline, Hermione and Professor Prince stopped at a reasonable distance and brought the Hippogriff's down into the shade of the trees. Rosaline directed their fifty or so troops down to them.

"Prince, Mckinnon and Moody will target the watchman and the outer guards. Once I receive the all clear Prince's platoon will attack from the front, my platoon from the back and Diggory's platoon from above. We want a bloodless takeover. According to our spy there are five outer guards and fifteen inside. Good luck." Rosaline nodded at Hermione who patted her hippogriff to take flight.

Her heart was thumping with adrenaline as she led Agon Moody and Professor Prince to the lake. She cast a disillusionment charm on all of them and flew Atlas above the fortress. She cast a detection spell and was pleased to find the watchman was alone in his tower. The five guards however were going to prove trickier to take as they were dotted about the exits. They'd have to attack them on foot. Hermione flew down first to the highest narrowest tower. She watched a fair haired middle aged man with broad shoulders holding a telescope peering out in the decietfully peaceful looking skies. Hermione silently stunned him and summoned his keys. She asked Atlas to dismount by a unguarded gate, gesturing Moody and Prince to join her. She pointed them towards the right as she took the left. The ground was marshy and the air damp. She could hear the woodland creatures roaming in the dark. Shortly she came accross two guards smoking by a gate watching the still sky. She stunned them simultaneously and bound them against eachother before casting notice me not charms on them. Three to go. Her footsteps seemed louder and louder to her ears and she increasingly became paranoid.

"What do we have here?" snarled a man from behind her. Hermione instinctively jumped missing the curse by a mere few inches. She silenced him before engaging him with a dual. He was quite good, highly versed in curses and had good aim. Hermione was forced into a defensive stance but thankfully was shortly joined by Agon Moody who fought like a skilled warrior. He shot a stunning charm right at his heart before binding him.

"We got two round the back" Agon spoke softly.

"Same." Hermione touched the amber amulet around her neck signalling the all clear to Rosaline. Hermione unlocked the gate with one of the keys.

"After you" Agon bowed sarcastically.

"My pleasure" Hermione chuckled.

They split into three this time as they were placed in charge of rescuing the prisoners. Hermione ignored the guards, slipping past them to the left wing. According to Hornby there were eleven prisoners in this wing accross five cells. For each cell she had a portkey which required a passcode from Hermione alone. The first cell she came accross held three prisoners, two fast asleep. This was going to be the tricky part. She cast a silencing charm on the young woman who was wide awake before showing herself. The woman gasped in surprise as Hermione quickly explained to her she was here to rescue them all. The woman nodded and she lifted the charm. She cast a few unlocking spells before finding the right combination. Once she entered she retrieved a wine bottle from her pocket enlarged it and placed it on the floor. She requested the woman to awake her inmates. Once she explained to the three haggard prisoners that it was a portkey that would take them to safety they held the bottle in between them. Hermione uttured "Phoenix" and they were gone in an instant. She sighed with relief. It worked! Dumbledore was a genius. She went to the next cell and saw Malfoy and smiled at the thought of the reunion between father and son. Malfoy heard her approach and shouted in surprise. Damn it! She cast a silencio but too late. He'd alerted the guards.

"What is going on here?" roared a guard. "Where've they gone?!"

Hermione stunned him and threw him into the cell. She cast a locking charm on the door and ran back to the second cell.

"I'm here to rescue you so please do as I say. I will pass you a portkey which you will all hold. I will then speak the passcode that will transfer you to a safehouse." Hermione spoke loudly so all the prisoners would hear her. Malfoy looked suspiciously at the kettle Hermione passed him.

"Trust me. What have you got to lose?"

The two in the cell held the kettle and again dissappeared. She moved to the third, passing them an old newspaper and finally the fourth handing them a small ballerina figurine. Just as she uttered the last passcode her defences crumbled. Rosaline thankfully stood at the entrance.

"All captured and bound. The prisoners are all at the safehouse."

Hermione followed Rosaline out to the main entrance where all the troops stood looking almost untouched.

"Edward Prince, Mckinnon, Fenwick and Diggory stay behind. It is possible Grindelwald will send reinforcements. Keep and eye on the guards and alert me if you are under attack. The rest of you back to the base."

Hermione dismounted Atlas at the clearing and searched for Malfoy and Black. She found them in one of the tents assisting Healer Roberts with a few potions. Black saw her first and ran to her hugging her tight. Malfoy joined them soon enough.

"I'm alright, I'm fine!" laughed Hermione. They beamed at her.

"Your fathers safe Abraxas." Hermione said to him and Malfoy hugged her once again. "Thank you" he said again and again.

"That's enough Abraxas." coughed Black.

"What's been happening on the front lines?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"Still going on as far aw we know."

Hermione left the tent and sought out Rosaline.

"What's happening?"

"It's pretty even but once we're out there we should have the edge. You ready?"

Hermione nodded.

"I'm coming with you." Black said with conviction.

"Actually that might not be a bad idea." Rosaline pondered.

"They're barely of age!" Hermione protested, not wanting to see either of them in the front line.

"Neither are you!" Abraxas yelled back.

"We don't have the time for this Hermione, they'll be useful if they keep an eye on eachother."

Hermione said nothing to the two boys who were positively skipping with joy. She had them change into combat gear and folllowed Rosaline down the mountain and into the woods. The trees were easily twenty, thirty feet long. They walked for a few minutes before they heard the sound of battle. In the clearing outside the gates of Grindelwald's headquarters fought a few hundred witches and wizards. Hermione and Rosaline ran into the thick of it, casting spell after spell. Together they were no match for the opposition taking five men down at once, backs face to eachother they didn't utter a single disarming charm. A few feet from them duelled Dumbeldore duelled as impressively. No enemy dared fight him and surrendered easily to his advances. Rosaline was right, with their addition they just about had the upper hand. But where was Grindelwald? Slowly they entered the gated headquarters. They were fighting five to one now and the remainder of the army was herded off soon enough.

Rosaline, Hermione and Agon stood behind Dumbledore who spearheaded the army. Quiet settled among the ranks as Dumbledore spoke.

"Grindelwald you're soldiers have been defeated, won't you come out and join your followers?" Dumbledore's voice thundured qith quiet disdain and even a little remorse.

A few seconds passed before a figure appeared from the entrance. Strangely enough Grindelwald was dressed in a shirt and dress trousers. For a muggle hater he pulled off the look quite handsomely. His blonde hair only a little grey, his face oddly youthful.

"Looking well Gellart" Dumbledore greeted him as though a long lost friend.

"Not as well as you Albus. I must say the years become you." Grindelwald smiled back at him charmingly.

"Always the charmer." Dumbledore chuckled.

"Yet I lost you to the cause you helped create."

"I was young and foolish."

"No Albus, you grew old and foolish. You fear revolution!"

"This is not a revolution Gellart." Dumbledore said sadly.

"No? What do you call ripping up the age old foundations and giving birth to a new age?"

"In your case? It is world domination."

Gellart laughed softly.

"You have brought down my army Albus and now you will attempt to bring me down?"

Albus shook his head.

"It is true I am reluctant old friend. Why not do us both a favour and surrender?"

"Do you not know me at all?"

"I know pride holds you back but I also know greatness seduces you. Failure will be the only outcome of this duel Gellart. I am offering you a way out."

Grindelwald gritted his teeth and with a wave of his wand raised the earth around them creating a circular duelling platform ten feet off the ground. He bowed deeply at Dumbledore before he sent ropes to Dumbledore's wrist. Dumbledore transfigured the ropes into snakes that attacked their master. Grindelwald incinerated the snakes and sent a freezing charm so strong the entire clearing dropped by several degrees. Dumbledore turned the ice into water and sent a thunderstorm his way. It almost uprooted him before he found the counter curse.

"Enough games!" hissed Grindelwald.

Grindelwald slashed his wand sending a cutting jinx at the professor, Dumbledore lazily deflected it and sent a numbing hex to Grindelwald's legs causing him to kneel painfully. Still Grindelwald sent dark curse after dark curse. Dumbledore's breath quickened when finally he had to jump to avoid a flash of green. Dumbledore's eyes widened and his efforts redoubled. After throwing an impedimenta his way Dumbledore began to utter a runic spell under his breath, musturing all his magic, with a final look at Gellart he brought his wand down causing Grindelwald to whither and age. His fair hair now grey. Rosy cheeks yellowed and sunken. A blue pearly string of magic escaped Grindelwald as he shrieked with pain. The crowd watched with bated breath as Dumbledore summoned Grindelwald's very essence. Rosaline stepped forward and begged him for mercy. Dumbledore appeared to return to his senses, fury leaving his eyes. He disarmed him and brought the platform back into the ground. He turned to the watching crowds and was met with cries of sheer joy. Nobby Leech came forward and shook Dumbledore's hand enthusiastically before addressing the crowd.

"Grindelwald has bee conquered. Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow begins the beginning or restoration and healing. To victory!"

The crowd echoed victory as Hermione and Rosaline walked to the shaken professor.

"You did what any of us would have done." Rosaline reassured him.

"What you had a duty to do." Added Hermione.

Dumbledore muttered a polite excuse me and walked off, far away from the celebrations. Hermione sighed. Typical hero complex.

"We did it! We beat Grindywarts!" roared Malfoy taking Hermione by her shoulders and jumping up and down. She gave him a small smile feeling suddenly very drowsy.

"Let's get you home." Black said quietly putting his arm around her so she could rest against his chest. She gave in to the warmth and security he offered and sighed feeling a contentment she'd missed for a long time.

A.N. The end of the reign of one dark lord. Marking the beginning of another? And what are our thoughts on Black and Hermione? Please review! Also excuse selling errors etc. I'm not redrafting till later so do endure it for now xxx